Ventilation system



June 11, 1963 M. M. ROSENFELD VENTILATION SYSTEM Filed Aug. 22. 1961 FIG.2

INVENTOR.

MORTON M. ROSENFELD ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,093,056 VENTILATION SYSTEM Morton M. Rosenfeld, Mount Vernon, N.Y. (271 Madison Ave., New York, N .Y.) Filed Aug. 22, 1961, Ser. No. 133,133 3 Claims. (Cl. 98-33) This invention relates to a ventilation system, and more particularly, to a ventilation system for underground enclosures such as bombshelters, basements in homes, subway systems, etc.

It has been conventional heretofore to provide a simple intake pipe and exhaust pipe for an underground enclosure with such pipes extending to a point above ground level. Such intake and exhaust pipes are generally provided with a hood or the like so as to prevent falling rain, air-borne dust, and the like from passing down through the pipes under the effect of gravity. As a general rule, the hood will be positioned at a point spaced from ground level.

Such conventional intake and exhaust pipes sulfer from a number of disadvantages. Thus, no means has been provided to prevent tampering with the pipes and hood. Accordingly, mischievous persons have stuffed paper, leaves, dirt, etc. into the pipes or into the hood in a manner so as to clog a filter or the like. Also, the hoods are stolen so as to prevent the ventilation system from having the advantages of a hood.

The above mentioned disadvantages become more acute when the intake and exhaust pipes are a portion of the ventilating system for an. underground enclosure such as a bombshelter. Under these circumstances, the failure of having a tamper-proof ventilation system may be disestrous. The manner in which the intake and exhaust pipes extend above ground, as proposed heretofore, subject the above ground portion to damage due to falling buildings, trees and the like. Unless an adequate tamperproof device is provided for the intake and exhaust pipes on a ventilation system for a bombshelter, the defects in the ventilation system will generally not be discovered until it is too late to rectify the same.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel ventilation system for underground enclosures so that an intake and/0r exhaust pipe disposed above ground level and communicating with such enclosure is provided with a tamperproof shield.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel tamperproof shield for an intake and/or exhaust pipe disposed above ground level.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel ventilation system for a bombshelter disposed underground.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a bombshelter disposed completely underground.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the hood disposed on the upper end of the intake pipe.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIGURE 1 an underground bombshelter designated generally as 10.

The bombshelter may be of the type disposed completely below the ground level 12 and having walls formed of poured concrete or the like. Preferably, the bombshelter 10 is provided with an escape hatchway 14 communicating through an escape hatch positioned at ground level. Preferably, the bombshelter 10 is also provided 3,093,056 Patented June 11, 1963 with a door 16 which communicates with a portion of an adjoining building, such as the basement of a private resience.

The bombshelter 10 is provided with an intake pipe 18 having its upper end disposed above the ground level 12. The hood 20 is secured to the upper end of the pipe 18. A tamperproof shield 22 surrounds the upper portion of the intake pipe 18. 1

An exhaust pipe 24 is provided with one end in communication with the interior of the bombshelter 10 and the other end disposed above the ground level 12. A manually operable crank-type centrifugal blower 26 is secured to the end of the pipe 24 disposed within the interior of the bombshelter 10. A hood 28 is secured to the upper end of the pipe 24. A tamperproof shield 30 surrounds the upper end of the pipe 24.

The shields 22 and 30 are identical. Accordingly, it is deemed suificient to only describe the shield 22 in detail. The shield 22 is a cup-shaped body having a radially outwardly extending flange 32 at the open end of the body. The cup-shaped body on the shield 22 is disposed so that it surrounds the hood 20 and the upper portion of the pipe 1-8 with the open end of the cupshaped body being disposed intermediate the ends of the pipe 18 at a point below ground level 12.

A foundation 34 of concrete or the like is provided around the pipe 18 below ground level as illustrated in FIGURE 1. Such foundation .34 maybe performed and disposed around the pipe 18 at the desired location of the bombshelter or the like. It will be noted that the uppermost surface of the foundation 34 tapers in a direction away from thepipe 18.

The flange 32 is bolted to the foundation 34 in any convenient manner. The portion of the cup-shaped body of the shield 22 between the foundation 34 and a point slightly above ground level 12 is provided with a plurality of holes 40 which permit water trapped within the shield 22 to readily escape.

The dome portion of the cup-shaped body of the shield 22 is imperforate. The body of the shield 22 is preferably cylindrical in transverse cross section and is provided with a plurality of vents 36. The vents 36 are provided by the provision of tabs 38 which are bent or otherwise disposed out of the plane of the vents 36. The tabs 38 are arcuate as illustrated and are integral with the cup-shaped body at their upper end. Thus, foreign matter introduced into the shield 22 will be directed toward the foundation 34 rather than toward the hood 20-.

As shown more clearly in FIGURE 2, the hood 20 comprises an annular cup-shaped inner member 42 and an outer cup-shaped member 44. The inner and outer members 42 and 44 are concentrically disposed and interconnected by a screen 46 of heavy mesh wire. The inner member 42 is annular in transverse cross section so that it may receive the upper end of the pipe 18 and be supported thereon. The inner member 42 supports a charcoal filter 48 which filters out air-borne dust. It is well known that the most dangerous effect of an atomic blast to those people not in the immediate area thereof is the radioactive air-borne dust which may remain in the area for several weeks or be carried by the winds to areas which are remote from the center of the blast.

The shield 22 is preferably made from heavy plate steel or the like so as to withstand shock and foreign material which may fall thereon. The most dangerous rays of an atomic blast are the gamma rays. Gamma rays travel in straight lines. The disposition of the shield 22 with the arcuate tabs 38 and the disposition of the hood 20 precludes the possibility of gamma rays entering the inlet pipe 18. The end of the intake pipe 1-8 disposed within the bombshelter 10 is preferably provided (D with a cap 50 which may be readily removed when it is desired to utilize the ventilation system. In the event of floods, torrential rains, hurricanes, rupture of sewer or water pipes, etc., the cap 50 on the pipe 18 prevents the bombshelter 10 from being flooded through the intake pipe 18. I

The hood 28 is identical with the hood 20. Accordingly, it is not deemed necessary to explain the hood 28 in detail. The intake pipe of the blower 26 is preferably provided with a selectively removable cap 52 which is identical with the cap 50. The cap 52 is used in the same manner as cap 50 and performs the same function. Thus, if the level of the surface water is higher than the level of the upper ends of the pipes 18 and 24, the caps 50 and 52 prevent the surface water from entering the bombshelter 10. In order to prevent water from entering through the hatchway 14, it will be obvious that the hatch at the ground level will be provided with a waterproof seal.

Thus, it will be seenthat the ventilating system of the present invention includes a tamperproof shield for the hoods on the pipes 18 and 24. Because of the arcuate shape of the tabs 38, it is not possible to introduce an instrument such as a stick or the like through the vents 36 and directly contact the pipes 18 and 24.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention maybe utilized on a 'bombshelter which is only partially disposed underground. Such bombshelters which are only partially disposed underground are provided with a layer of earth thereabove. Accordingly, such bombshelters which are disposed only partially un derground will appear in longitudinal transverse cross section as illustrated in FIGURE 1.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the fore going specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

1 claim:

1. A ventilation system comprising an underground enclosure, means providing entry and exit to said enclosure, an intake pipe having a first end in communication with said enclosure and a second end above ground level, an exhaust pipe having a first end in communication with said enclosure and a second end above ground level, a hood supported on the second end of each pipe, and a tamperproof shield surrounding each hood and the portion of each pipe disposed above ground level, the shield comprising a tubular main body having a closed imperforate upper end spaced above said hood and extending to below the ground level to be secured therein, said tubular main body having air vents therein.

2. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein a foundation, said tubular main body being secured below ground level in said foundation, the uppermost surface of said foundation tapering in a direction away from the pipe juxtaposed thereto.

3. The ventilation system of claim 1 including tabs disposed within said shield, said tabs having one end integral with said tubular main body, said tabs corresponding in shape with said air vents, said tabs being arcuate in transverse cross section, and the end of said tabs op posite to said one end of said tabs being disposed between ground level and said one end of said tabs.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,309,255 Rowland Jan. 26, 1943 2,871,802 Fishler Feb. 3, 1959 2,955,549 Frankfort Oct. 11, 1960 

1. A VENTILATION SYSTEM COMPRISING AN UNDERGROUND ENCLOSURE, MEANS PROVIDING ENTRY AND EXIT TO SAID ENCLOSURE, AN INTAKE PIPE HAVING A FIRST END IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID ENCLOSURE AND A SECOND END ABOVE GROUND LEVEL, AN EXHAUST PIPE HAVING A FIRST END IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID ENCLOSURE AND A SECOND END ABOVE GROUND LEVEL, A HOOD SUPPORTED ON THE SECOND END OF EACH PIPE, AND A TAMPERPROOF SHIELD SURROUNDING EACH HOOD AND THE PORTION OF EACH PIPE DISPOSED ABOVE GROUND LEVEL, THE SHIELD COMPRISING A TUBULAR MAIN BODY HAVING A CLOSED IMPERFORATED UPPER END SPACED ABOVE SAID HOOD AND EXTENDING TO BELOW THE GROUND LEVEL TO BE SECURED THEREIN, SAID TUBULAR MAIN BODY HAVING AIR VENTS THEREIN. 